Highways England said it was recommending that the new Lower Thames Crossing was built between Gravesend and Tilbury and not Option A, which would see a new bridge alongside the A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing.

There are three variants to the Option C route north of the Thames and two to the south.

Image copyrightHighways AgencyImage caption
The proposed tunnel would run under the River Thames from Tilbury to Gravesend

Martin Potts, of Highways England said the route between Gravesend and Tilbury "provides double the economic benefits" of a crossing close to the existing routes between Dartford and Thurrock.

He said it would also be a "clear alternative route to the Dartford Crossing, reducing congestion and improving resilience of the road network".

"By choosing a tunnel rather than a bridge we can minimise the effects of the new road on the environment.

"There are important choices to be made. As well as inviting comments from the public about our recommendations, we have identified three routes for the new road to the north of the river and two routes south of the river," he said.

Mike Golsby, of Shorne-based group A Bridge Too Far, said Option C would have a "detrimental affect" on the local area and would not solve the traffic problems at Dartford.